U.S. patent application number 16/904543 was filed with the patent office on 2020-10-15 for pipette tip with integrated light guides in the body and method of spectroscopic analysis using same.
The applicant listed for this patent is Spectrum Perception LLC. Invention is credited to Bradley Lynn Postier, Thomas Michael Spudich, JR..
Application Number | 20200324282 16/904543 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004901619 |
Filed Date | 2020-10-15 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200324282 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Postier; Bradley Lynn ; et
al. |
October 15, 2020 |
Pipette Tip with Integrated Light Guides in the Body and Method of
Spectroscopic Analysis Using Same
Abstract
Novel disposable pipette tips that enable spectroscopic analysis
of analytes held within the tip while attached to a
microspectrometer or microspectrometer which is a micropipette with
the functional capability to irradiate an attached tip with light
of a defined wavelength and measure the impact of the sample within
the tip on the irradiated light as the modified light is directed
back to sensors on or within the instrument. Spectroscopic sample
analysis is integral to a wide range of research sciences including
microbiology, molecular biology, medical, chemistry, environmental,
food, and forensics.
Inventors: |
Postier; Bradley Lynn; (St.
Charles, MO) ; Spudich, JR.; Thomas Michael; (Lake
St. Louis, MO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Spectrum Perception LLC |
St. Charles |
MO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004901619 |
Appl. No.: |
16/904543 |
Filed: |
June 17, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15813893 |
Nov 15, 2017 |
10710067 |
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16904543 |
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15113648 |
Jul 22, 2016 |
10345145 |
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15813893 |
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62422441 |
Nov 15, 2016 |
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61930684 |
Jan 23, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N 2035/1062 20130101;
G01N 21/51 20130101; G01N 2201/0221 20130101; G01N 2035/103
20130101; B01L 2300/168 20130101; G01N 21/25 20130101; G01N 21/253
20130101; B01L 3/0275 20130101; G01N 21/8507 20130101; G01N 21/0303
20130101; G01N 35/10 20130101; B01L 2300/0654 20130101; G01N
2021/8521 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B01L 3/02 20060101
B01L003/02; G01N 35/10 20060101 G01N035/10; G01N 21/25 20060101
G01N021/25; G01N 21/85 20060101 G01N021/85; G01N 21/03 20060101
G01N021/03 |
Claims
1. A pipette tip comprising: a top portion for interconnecting said
pipette tip to a barrel of a microspectrometer; a middle portion
including a light guide; a lower portion including a sampling
chamber; wherein said light guide is configured to direct input
light along a vector from said microspectrometer through said
sample chamber and back to said microspectrometer, said light
changing direction at least twice to return to said
microspectrometer along a vector in opposing direction to said
vector of said input light.
2. The pipette tip of claim 1 wherein said middle portion is
generally in the shape of a conical frustum.
3. The pipette tip of claim 2 wherein said lower portion is
generally rounded at an extreme end, said light internally
reflecting from said rounding into said sample chamber.
4. The pipette tip of claim 1 wherein said pipette tip is formed
from two halves, each of said halves including generally half of
each of said portions, bonded together
5. The pipette tip of claim 4 wherein said bonding is ultrasonic
welding.
6. The pipette tip of claim 4 wherein said halves are molded as
strip containing a plurality of said halves.
7. The pipette tip of claim 4 wherein said halves are
identical.
8. A pipette tip comprising: a top portion for interconnecting said
pipette tip to a barrel of a microspectrometer; a bottom portion
comprising two light guide arms separated by a sample region at a
terminal end spaced from said top portion; wherein said light guide
arms are configured to direct input light along a vector from said
microspectrometer through said sample region and back to said
microspectrometer, said light changing direction at least twice to
return to said microspectrometer along a different arm from an arm
guiding said input light to said sample region.
9. The pipette tip of claim 8 wherein each of said arms has a
non-circular cross sectional shape.
10. The pipette tip of claim 8 wherein said top portion comprises a
collar.
11. A pipette tip comprising: a top portion for interconnecting
said pipette tip to a barrel of a microspectrometer; two light
guide arms connected to said top portion and separated from each
other, each of said light guide arms forming a light guide
internally reflecting input light from said microspectrometer
within said light guide arm; a sample region between said light
guide arms at a terminal end spaced from said top portion; wherein
a first of said two light guide arms directs said input light to
exit said first light guide arm, pass through said sample region,
and enter into a second of said two light guide arms, said second
of said two light guide arms directing said light back to said
microspectrometer, said light changing direction at least twice
before returning to said microspectrometer.
12. The pipette tip of claim 11 wherein each of said arms has a
non-circular cross sectional shape.
13. The pipette tip of claim 11 wherein said top portion comprises
a collar.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This Application is a Continuation of U.S. Utility patent
application Ser. No. 15/813,893, filed Nov. 15, 2017, which is a
Continuation-in-Part (CIP) of U.S. Utility patent application Ser.
No. 15/113,648, filed Jul. 22, 2016 and which claims the benefit of
U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/422,441, filed Nov.
15, 2016. U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 15/113,648 is a
.sctn. 317 U.S. National Phase of International Application Serial
No.: PCT/US2015/012787, filed Jan. 23, 2015, which in turn claims
benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/930,684, filed Jan.
23, 2014. The entire disclosure of all the above documents is
herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present disclosure relates to disposable pipette tips
that enable spectroscopic analysis of analytes within the tip and
specifically disposable pipette tips that provide for an integral
light guide to interface with a microspectrometer to provide
spectroscopic analysis.
2. Description of Related Art
[0003] Almost all forms of chemical and biological research require
the detection and quantification of specific analytes to understand
and/or characterize the composition or phenomenon under study. Many
types of methods have been applied to this detection ranging from
the simple (for example, gravimetric) to the technically complex
(for example, quantitative real-time RT-PCR or quantitative atomic
force microscopy).
[0004] Analysis of the absorption, scattering, luminescence and
fluorescence of light by a solute in solution (or a label on that
solute) can enable the characterization of that solute.
Spectrometers are utilized to measure the light or radiation
altering properties of solutes or their surrogate analytes in
solution for this purpose. Spectrophotometers or spectrometers can
be multipurpose or designed and built for specific purposes.
Multipurpose instruments have a common design mechanism as
discussed below while those with specific purpose may have
alternative components and potentially simplified formats. Specific
purpose instruments are less common but are advantageous for
differing reasons including expense, size, data quality,
environmental factors, mobility, ease of use, and sample concerns.
Often the multipurpose instruments, while providing flexibility,
have reduced sensitivity than when compared to the single purpose
instruments which have been optimized for a single purpose.
[0005] Standard multipurpose spectrophotometers require that the
sample in question be obtained and then placed in a specific
sampling cuvette which is then placed into the spectrophotometer
directly in the path of a beam of light. A sensor is present in the
light path downstream for detection of the light altering
properties of the sample. The relationship of the light source,
sample, and sensor is important for consistency of measured
results. The light altering properties of the sample are typically
compared against a reference sample (typically the same solvent
without the target solute) to provide data regarding differences in
light absorption, transmittance, scatter or emission. These
differences are then associated with the solute of interest.
[0006] Given a relatively pure solute with a known light absorption
extinction coefficient, it is possible to determine the
concentration and purity of that solute in solution using a
spectrophotometer and the procedure above. Because of this,
spectrophotometers can be used in virtually any kind of analysis
where identification, concentration, purity, or similar
characteristics of a solute is required. The methodology, however,
is not without its difficulties. There is a significant possibility
for interference in more complex solutions or even due to the
thermal energy supplied by the incident light beam. Because of
this, spectrophotometers generally cannot measure in a vacuum and
single measuring beam (single-beam) instruments effectively require
manual subtraction of a reagent blank as described above to avoid
solvent interactions or interactions from unintended solutes. To
correct for temperature, light and other interferences a dual-beam
approach was developed such that the sample with solute is run side
by side with a sample without solute and subtracted in real-time to
account for environmental and contaminant impacts.
[0007] One of the most common uses of spectrophotometers are for
the determination of solute concentration in solution and they are
very common in determining the concentration of certain biological
components, often which have been tagged with markers specifically
designed to assist in spectrophotometry. For example, measuring the
absorbance of light by a sample at 260 nm (A.sub.260) can determine
the concentration of nucleic acids in the sample solution after
extraction of those nucleic acids from biological samples. However,
the presence of contaminant molecules such as protein, guanidinium
salts, and phenol in a sample can increase the A.sub.260 absorbance
as well and this can provide an inaccurate reading. As these are
common contaminants from nucleic acid preparations, they originally
needed to be removed before accurate measurements of the extracted
nucleic acids could be relied upon.
[0008] These same contaminant compounds, however, also absorb light
at other wavelengths which light are not strongly absorbed by
nucleic acids. Specifically, protein has a peak absorbance at 280
nm while phenol and guanidinium salts absorb strongly at 230 nm.
Thus, by comparing the absorption ratio at multiple wavelengths it
is possible to determine the level of contamination by these
compounds without having to remove them from a sample. Routinely,
A.sub.260:280 ratios are used to determine the level of protein
contamination in a sample while A.sub.260:230 ratios are used to
determine the contamination due to either guanidinium salts or
phenolic compounds. Further processing can reduce the contamination
and this can be further confirmed by repeating the optical
measurements. For these applications, the relationship of the light
source, sample, and sensor must again be consistent amongst samples
to obtaining reliable results.
[0009] Colorimetric assays are designed for indirect detection of a
substance in solution. The target substance may be a chemical
compound, enzyme, or unknown mixture of compounds. Colorimetric
assays involve chemical or physical reactions that involve a
substrate/enzyme or target/ligand of interest. The result of this
chemical reaction is the production of a compound or complex that
has altered light/radiation absorbing/emitting properties at a
specific wavelength. Ideally the change in light properties is
linear in response to the concentration of the specific substrate
of interest within a useful range of substrate concentration. Some
examples include the use of ferrozine to measure iron atoms,
Coomassie blue for protein, and para-nitrophenylphosphate for
phosphatase activity.
[0010] Using a spectrofluorometer, it is also possible to detect
the fluorescent emission of light from a fluorescent solute
substrate or a fluorescently labeled solute for various purposes.
Fluorescent spectroscopy can be linked to enzyme assays, studies of
photosynthetic activity, cell enumeration, and various other
fluorescence-based assays. Fluorescent probes and substrates have
expanded the potential for sensitive detection of analytes of
interest and generated a broad industry focused on its
exploitation.
[0011] A specialized industry has developed about the use of
luminescent assays which are at their core spectroscopy. However,
in luminescent assays an enzyme/substrate pair are used to study
analytes by generation of light within the sample and using the
illuminometer (the reading spectrometer) to record the light
levels. Advances in luminescent assays are even able to now produce
multiple colors of light to allow multiplexed assays and more
complexity within a specific sample to be studied.
[0012] In general, as described above, spectrophotometers used in
most research are large and complex instruments designed for
benchtop use as they often need to produce light at specific
wavelength bands and detect absorbance of such light. These
instruments are applicable in the chemical or biological
laboratories for basic research, clinical diagnostics,
biotechnology, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries, military
applications, homeland security, and forensics laboratory settings
where space is not at a premium and the size and bulk of a machine
is a far less important consideration than its effectiveness.
However, the instruments are too bulky to be mobile as they are
often attached directly to a computer to drive the instrument and
extract or analyze data.
[0013] In general, a focus on miniaturization in spectroscopy has
thus occurred since the ability to perform microscopy quickly,
easily, cheaply, and in situ allows spectroscopy to be used in more
places. This miniaturization has taken two general forms, a
decrease the instrument size (instrument miniaturization) and a
decrease in sample size (assay miniaturization). Instrument
miniaturization generally allows for the instrument to be more
portable while assay miniaturization allows for the use of
spectroscopy to detect the presence of small concentrations of
materials without need to concentrate them.
[0014] The path length of standard cuvettes is 1 centimeter and,
thus, filing a cuvette typically requires comparatively significant
volume of the sample for analysis. Because of this, it is often
necessary to prepare a sample to concentrate an analyte of interest
to make sure that it is sufficiently detectable when the sample is
placed in the solvent at this volume. Similarly, particularly high
percentage samples may need to be diluted. Instrument
miniaturization has allowed for smaller devices to be provided, but
these devices are generally still designed for benchtop use and are
designed for specific purposes. For example, the single purpose
NANODROP spectrophotometer provides a smaller machine than standard
spectrophotometers and uses a very small sample. However, it is not
easily portable and is really only useable for specific types of
analysis.
[0015] Miniaturized spectrophotometers have been developed
previously. However, they have met with little success and were not
accepted broadly as useful reliable instruments. An early device of
Paul Hoogestater is provided in U.S. Design Pat. D237,982, the
entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference,
developed a battery operated single channel spectrophotometer for
field use. This device presumably used an incandescent bulb and
simple photo sensor positioned on each side of the 1 cm cuvette
sample port with an analog output for absorbance or transmittance.
This may have been useful to measure samples like culture density
and water sample clarity, but it would not have the accuracy
necessary for molecular techniques to measure nucleic acid quality
or abundance, nor would it work for fluorescence or luminescence.
Further, it still required transfer of the sample to a cuvette for
readings.
[0016] Several other miniature spectrometers have been pursued
having applications with different targets and such do not
incorporate many of the functional units described here in one
instrument. For instance, a spectrometer proposed by Ciaccia et al
in PCT Patent Application WO 2000/014,496, the entire disclosure of
which is herein incorporated by reference, utilizes a PCMCIA card
attached to a laptop to drive an illumination source and detector.
This instrument is tied directly to a computer and thus has less
mobility and greater expense associated with the instrument. Jung
et al in PCT Patent Application WO 2003/073,457, the entire
disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference, describes
an instrument utilizing LED illumination and photodiode detection
in a device designed to analyze teeth surfaces. This device does
not have a sample holder, luminescence or fluorescence capability,
or wireless connectivity, and is wired to a computer for data
transfer and analysis. Such a device provides little mobility and
is unsuitable for measuring all but specific samples related to
teeth. A spectrometer developed by Crowley et al in PCT Patent
Application WO 1998/022,805, the entire disclosure of which is
herein incorporated by reference, again is not suitable for
measurement of liquid samples in a sample port with defined light
path as it demonstrates a probe that would be inserted into a
patient's body for direct analysis of targeted tissues.
[0017] Ultimately, the current problems with spectrophotometry can
be summed up as follows. Multi-purpose spectrophotometers have
generally been bulky laboratory based devices. While they provide
for very useful analysis, their physical bulk, and need for a
relatively large sample size, has meant that they are only useable
when samples can be prepared specifically for them. Thus, it has
generally not been possible to perform spectrophotometry on
particularly small samples across a wide range of analytes of
interest, and it has generally not be possible to perform such
spectrophotometry on samples which are not prepared and analyzed in
a laboratory for the spectrophotometer. Thus, the spectrophotometer
has been a device which could be very useful in a variety of
settings, but is confined to specific laboratory testing.
[0018] Therefore, what is needed is a portable and adaptable
spectrometer with sufficient limits of detection to successfully
compete with the more bulky and immobile laboratory grade devices,
while still being sufficiently mobile and utilizing a relatively
small sample to be useable in a variety of settings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Described herein, among other things, are systems and
methods for disposable pipette tips that enable spectroscopic
analysis of analytes held within the tip while attached to a
microspectrometer. A microspectrometer is a micropipette with the
functional capability to irradiate an attached tip with light of a
defined wavelength and measure the impact of the sample within the
tip on the irradiated light as the modified light is directed back
to sensors on or within the instrument.
[0020] There are described herein, among other things, a pipette
tip comprising: a top portion for interconnecting said pipette tip
to a barrel of a microspectrometer; a middle portion including a
light guide and a sample chamber; a lower portion including a
hollow internal volume interconnecting with said sample chamber;
wherein said light guide is configured to direct input light along
a vector from said microspectrometer through said sample chamber
and back to said microspectrometer, said light changing direction
at least twice to return to said microspectrometer along a vector
in opposing direction to said vector of said input light.
[0021] In an embodiment of the pipette tip, the middle portion is
generally in the shape of a conical frustum.
[0022] In an embodiment of the pipette tip, the conical frustum has
a non-circular cross sectional shape.
[0023] In an embodiment of the pipette tip, the cross sectional
shape of said conical frustum is in the form of two generally half
circles connected by two opposing generally parallel lines.
[0024] In an embodiment of the pipette tip, the sample chamber has
a non-circular cross sectional shape.
[0025] In an embodiment of the pipette tip, the cross sectional
shape of said sample chamber is in the form of two generally half
circles connected by two opposing generally parallel lines.
[0026] In an embodiment of the pipette tip, the top portion is
generally in the shape of a conical frustum.
[0027] In an embodiment of the pipette tip, the conical frustum has
a non-circular cross sectional shape.
[0028] In an embodiment of the pipette tip, the cross sectional
shape of said conical frustum is in the form of two generally half
circles connected by two opposing generally parallel lines.
[0029] In an embodiment of the pipette tip, the lower portion is
elongated relative to said middle portion.
[0030] There is also described herein, in an embodiment, a pipette
tip comprising: a top portion for interconnecting said pipette tip
to a barrel of a microspectrometer; a middle portion including a
light guide; a lower portion including a sampling chamber; wherein
said light guide is configured to direct input light along a vector
from said microspectrometer through said sample chamber and back to
said microspectrometer, said light changing direction at least
twice to return to said microspectrometer along a vector in
opposing direction to said vector of said input light.
[0031] In an embodiment of the pipette tip, the middle portion is
generally in the shape of a conical frustum.
[0032] In an embodiment of the pipette tip, the lower portion is
generally rounded at an extreme end, said light internally
reflecting from said rounding into said sample chamber.
[0033] In an embodiment of the pipette tip, the pipette tip is
formed from two halves, each of said halves including generally
half of each of said portions, bonded together
[0034] In an embodiment of the pipette tip, the bonding is
ultrasonic welding.
[0035] In an embodiment of the pipette tip, the halves are molded
as strip containing a plurality of said halves.
[0036] There is also described herein, a pipette tip comprising: a
top portion for interconnecting said pipette tip to a barrel of a
microspectrometer; a bottom portion comprising two light guide arms
separated by a sample region at a terminal end spaced from said top
portion; wherein said light guide arms are configured to direct
input light along a vector from said microspectrometer through said
sample region and back to said microspectrometer, said light
changing direction at least twice to return to said
microspectrometer along a different arm from an arm guiding said
input light to said sample region.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] FIGS. 1-4 provide four views of an embodiment of a
disposable microspectrometer tip as described herein. FIG. 1 shows
a perspective view, FIG. 2 shows a front view, FIG. 3 shows a top
view, and FIG. 4 shows a side view.
[0038] FIG. 5 shows a general indication of how light can be
directed through the tip of FIGS. 1-4.
[0039] FIG. 6 shows a cross section of the tip of FIGS. 1-4 showing
alignment of the channels for the light guides in the pipette
barrel to the tip.
[0040] FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a disposable
microspectrometer tip which uses an elongated guide to reduce
necessary sample volume.
[0041] FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C show various views of each half tip of
FIG. 7. FIG. 8A shows a perspective view, FIG. 8B shows a front
view, and FIG. 8C shows a side view.
[0042] FIG. 9 shows a front view of a single molding comprising
eight half tips of FIGS. 8A-8C.
[0043] FIG. 10 shows how two moldings of FIG. 9 can be combined
together.
[0044] FIG. 11 shows a detail view of the breakable joint
connecting the various half tips in the molding of FIG. 9
together.
[0045] FIGS. 12A and 12B show details of the light guides through a
half tip of FIG. 7. FIG. 12A shows a rear view of a half tip of
FIG. 7 and FIG. 12B shows a detail of the end of tip.
[0046] FIGS. 13A, 13B, 14A, 14B, 15A and 15B show various views of
alternative tips which do not draw a sample but are submerged in a
sample. FIGS. 13A and 13B show a perspective view and front view
respectively of a first alternative tip, FIGS. 14A and 14B show a
perspective view and front view respectively of a second
alternative tip, and FIGS. 15A and 15B show a perspective view and
front view respectively of a third alternative tip.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0047] The present invention relates to novel disposable pipette
tips that enable spectroscopic analysis of analytes held within the
tip while attached to a microspectrometer. A microspectrometer is a
micropipette with the functional capability to irradiate an
attached tip with light of at least one defined wavelength (or
wavelength band) and measure the absorption of the light (or other
characteristic) by the sample within the tip as the modified light
is directed back to sensors on or within the microspectrometer.
[0048] PCT Patent Application Ser. No.: PCT/US2015/012787 and U.S.
Utility patent application Ser. No.: 15/113,648, the entire
disclosure of both of which is herein incorporated by reference,
generally describe the design of a microspectrometer with pipetting
capability and its disposable component tips for use in
laboratories and in the field. The instrument is lightweight,
portable, and capable of data display and or transmission to other
electronic devices. In the above referenced documents, the
described tips have design features that ensure attachment to the
instrument, alignment with the optics, and allow samples to be
drawn within and positioned within the light path of the
instrument. For purposes of this disclosure, when this disclosure
refers to a "microspectrometer" it will generally be referring to a
device such as one constructed in accordance with the teaching of
the above referenced patent documents and this includes both
microspectrometers and microspectrophotometers. However, it should
be recognized that the tips described herein may be useable with
other types of devices as would be understood by one of ordinary
skill in the art.
[0049] This disclosure provides various alternate designs of
pipette tips for use with a microspectrometer such as that
discussed above. However, the pipettes contemplated herein
generally add design features of the tip that enable the tip to
alter the light path of the microspectrometer by directing it to a
sample that is not positioned immediately between the light source
and the detector within the instrument, but through a sample within
the tip. This light direction is accomplished through the use of
internal reflection within the body of the tip. Essentially the
body of the tip includes structures to enable it to act as a light
guide. The advantage of redirecting the light path into the tip is
that it allows the manufacture of tips through existing technology
at low costs while reducing the minimum sample volume requirements
needed for measurement.
[0050] Two different embodiments of pipette tips (100) and (200)
utilizing an internal sample are provided in FIGS. 1-7 and 8-12B.
These pipette tips (100) and (200) are different from traditional
pipette tips in that tips (100) and (200) are used to draw up a
sample and direct light from a microspectrometer (600) through a
sample held within the body of the tip (100) and (200). This is
achieved by making the walls of the pipette tip (100) and (200) act
as a light guide. These tips (100) and (200), thus, alter the light
path from the microspectrometer (600) directing it to pass through
a sample held within the tip (100) or (200) and back to the
microspectrometer (600) for detection.
[0051] The tips (100) and (200) are generally constructed utilizing
transparent walls (135), (335) and (535) which allow for light to
pass through the material and with a hollow internal volume (131),
(331), and (531) and are designed such that light entering the
walls of the tip (100) or (200) (or more particularly a portion of
it) from a microspectrometer (600) is redirected using internal
reflection toward and back from a sample chamber (331) which is
within the tip (100) and (200). Any modification of the light
caused by the interaction of the light with the sample can then be
detected, recorded, and displayed by the microspectrometer (600).
One advantage of this design is that it eliminates the need for the
sample to be placed directly in between the light source and
detector within the body of a spectrophotometer (600). It also has
the advantage that it reduces the minimal required volume of sample
necessary for a spectrophotometer (600) to the amount which can
fill a pipette sample chamber. For example, in an embodiment of tip
(100) of standard size, one microliter will commonly be sufficient
for analysis. In another embodiment where the tip (200) is rounded
off rather than cone shaped, the volume may be substantially less
than 1 mm. In many cases, the sample can also be recovered after
spectroscopic analysis without contamination and can be used for
additional purposes.
[0052] In a first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the tip (100)
includes a generally narrow sampling port formed in the bottom
portion (521), a sampling chamber in the middle portion (321), and
the pipette barrel attachment and aligning walls in the top portion
(121). Light from the pipette barrel connector (601) of the
microspectrometer (600) (as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) is projected
onto the flat top surfaces (317) of the optical guide region which
is within the middle portion (321). Light generally enters the
walls (335) from one of the optical channels (603) in the
microspectrometer (600), internally reflects within the walls
(335), is directed across the sample chamber (331) and back into
the walls (335) on the other side of the sample chamber (331).
There, it is again internally reflected within the walls (335) and
directed back out of the walls (335) through the flat top surface
(317) where it re-enters the other of the optical channels (603) in
the microspectrometer (601).
[0053] When viewed from the side or front, the tip (100) is
generally comprised of three functional components arranged in a
vertical manner corresponding to the three functional elements
discussed above which are referred to as the top portion (121),
middle portion (321), and bottom portion (521). The larger top
portion (121) is generally used to attach the tip (100) to a
microspectrometer (500) as shown in FIG. 6. This top portion (121)
is of generally elongated shape having a generally continuous
external wall (135) enclosing a hollow volume (131). The external
wall (135) will commonly be formed of transparent or translucent
material for ease of manufacture, but this is by no means required.
The external wall typically will generally include a taper with
decreasing perimeter size from the top opening (103) to the flat
surface (317) interconnecting with the middle portion (321) of the
tip (100). The top portion (121) may include one or more ribs (141)
which are on the external surface of the external wall (135) and
provide a structure for support when packaged in a common pipette
tip box. The ribs (141) in the depicted embodiment are vertically
oriented but that is by no means required.
[0054] In the depicted embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, the top portion
(121) of the tip (100) has a generally oval or "racetrack"
cross-section when viewed from above as can be best seen in FIGS. 1
and 3. The cross-section in FIG. 3 provide for two opposing
generally parallel planar surfaces provides for two rounded ends
(101) and (103) which are generally semi-circular and are
interconnected by two generally linear side faces (113) and (115).
In alternative embodiments, the top portion (121) will be circular,
ovular, ellipsoidal, or any other shape in cross section. The
element of its cross section will generally be selected so as to
provide frictional engagement with the barrel (601) of the
microspectrometer (600).
[0055] Generally, the tip (100) will be connected to the
microspectrometer (600) with the tapered barrel (601) of the
microspectrometer (600) being inserted into the hollow volume (131)
of the tip (100) via the top opening (133). The barrel (601) will
generally have a similar cross sectional shape as the tip (100)
providing that the tip will generally self align with the barrel
(601). As discussed in more detail below, as it is preferred that
the light channels (603) be aligned so light is reflected through
the opposing parallel faces (313) and (315), a self-aligning design
is generally preferred.
[0056] The second portion (321) of the tip (100) acts as a light
guide for directing light into the sample and returning light from
the sample to the microspectrometer (600). The second portion (321)
is generally in the shape of an inverted conical frustum. The walls
(335) of the frustum surround a generally tubular sample chamber
(331) forming a hollow center through the frustum. As can be best
seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the sample chamber (331) will generally have
an internal circumference which is substantially less than the
circumference of the lowest portion of top portion (121). This
creates a generally flat face (317) forming a partial base of the
top portion (121) with the top (303) opening of the sample chamber
(331) being positioned generally in the center of this base
(317).
[0057] As previously indicated, the structure of the second portion
(321) of the tip (100) provides the means to redirect light from
the microspectrometer (600) across the sample chamber (331) and
back to the microspectrometer (600). This redirection is achieved
through the use of internal reflection on smooth surfaces formed in
the walls (335) which are designed and positioned to redirect the
light through the sample chamber (331). As such, the second portion
(321) of the tip (100) acts as a light guide. To accomplish this,
the walls (335) of the second portion (321) will be constructed of
a material which is generally transparent, at least with regards to
the wavelength(s) of light being utilized in conjunction with the
tip (100).
[0058] To preferably achieve a good light path through the sample,
The sample chamber (331) is of a hollow tubular shape have at least
two opposing generally flat walls (313) and (315) positioned in a
generally plane parallel fashion. In the depicted embodiment, they
are slightly tapered outward (slightly conical) to allow their
manufacture through injection molding. The hollow space internal to
the walls (335) is the sampling chamber (331). A sample is drawn up
through the bottom portion (521) of the tip (100) and a portion of
it is held in position within the sampling chamber (331) for
analysis.
[0059] In some embodiments, the sampling chamber (331) may project
upward into the top portion (through the surface (317)) to permit
the positioning of a filter or other object to reduce exposure of
the sample in the sample chamber (331) to outside air. The overall
body shape of this second portion (321) is preferably reduced in
size to reduce the volume (and particularly the diameter) of
material the light will travel through. The short light path within
the light guide part of the tip (100) permits the use of materials
that are not 100% transparent to the measuring light but are
sufficiently conductive to allow for light to pass through a
relatively thin amount of sample.
[0060] The sample chamber (331) in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 is
generally tubular in shape and has a cross section of similar shape
to that of the top portion (121) but that is by no means required.
The sample chamber (331) of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 is of
loosely ovular or racetrack form comprising two half-circular ends
(301) and (303) connected by two generally linear sides (313) and
(315). As can be best seen in FIG. 3, the linearity of the side
(313) and (315) may be enhanced over that of sides (113) and (115).
This is generally to provide two opposing generally plane parallel
surfaces which are used as the surfaces for supplying light to the
sample chamber (331) and collecting light from the sample chamber
(331). Light will pass through one side (313), through the sample
in the sample chamber (331) and then will continue through the
other side (315). To avoid distortion or reflection of light in
this area, it is preferred that these surfaces be as planar and as
parallel as possible given modern manufacturing techniques.
[0061] The sample chamber (331) generally does not have the clear
taper present in the internal volume of the top portion (121) but
may have some taper to allow for traditional manufacturing. It
instead has generally flat walls (313) and (315) positioned in a
generally plane parallel fashion however, the sample chamber (331)
may be slightly tapered outward to allow manufacture through
injection molding using side action draw pins.
[0062] The flat base (317) will generally provide for alignment of
the sample chamber (331) to the microspectrometer (600). As can be
best seen in FIG. 6, when the barrel (601) of the microspectrometer
(600) is placed in the top portion (121), the cross sectional shape
will force alignment of the light channels (603) in the
microspectrometer (600) with the portion of the flat base (317)
which is adjacent the sides (313) and (315) of the sample chamber
(331). The barrel (601) will also generally fit snuggly against the
flat base (313) providing for little to no gap between the base
(317) and the end of the barrel (601).
[0063] In FIG. 6, the cross section of the barrel (601) of a
microspectrometer (600) is shown inserted and properly seated
within an embodiment of a tip (100) corresponding to that of FIGS.
1-4. In FIGS. 5 and 6 the channels for light (603) included within
the barrel (601) of the microspectrometer (600) that transfer light
from a light source to the tip (100) and from the tip (100) to a
detector are included. The light in this path will pass through the
sample chamber (331) which is expected to be holding the sample.
The light guiding portion of the tip (100) redirects light entering
in a vertical orientation to a horizontal direction across the
sample and then redirects it vertically to exit the tip (100) and
enter the light channel (603) from the barrel (601) where it is
directed.
[0064] This redirection is shown best in FIG. 5 and is caused by
internal reflection within the walls (335) of the middle portion
(321). As can be seen in FIG. 5, light can be directed by the light
channel (603) on either side of the microspectrometer (600) down
into the flat base (317). It is noted that the reason the two light
channels (603) are referred to interchangeably is because the tip
effectively is mirror imaged and therefore it does not matter on
which side (313) or (315) the light source enters or leaves.
[0065] As the light leaving the channel (603) hits the flat base
(317) at an essentially 90 degree angle to the face of the base
(317), this light, as can be seen in FIG. 5, will continue into the
transparent structure of the wall (335) with relatively little
reflection until it hits the external surface (345) of the conical
frustum. The angle of incidence of the light on this external
surface (345) is generally around 45 degrees and that will result
in the external surface (345) acting as a mirror and directing the
light toward the wall (313) of the sample chamber via internal
reflectance. As the light will contact the wall (313) at what is
generally again around a 90 degree angle, the light will pass
through the wall (313) with little reflectance and pass through the
sample chamber (331).
[0066] Upon leaving the sample chamber (331), the light will hit
the wall (315) again at a generally 90 degree angle passing through
it with generally minimal reflectance. Again, the angle of
incidence on the exterior surface (345) is angled relative to the
face (315) such that the light is generally close to entirely
internally reflected and directed back toward the flat base (317).
As again the light intersects the face (317) at a virtually 90
degree angle, the light will pass back into the other light channel
(603) of the microspectrometer (600) with generally little
reflection. After entering the channel (603) the light can be
collected and measured as understood by those of ordinary skill in
the art. As should be apparent from FIG. 5, either light channel
(603) in the microspectrometer (600) can be the source of the light
and the other can act as the collector.
[0067] The lower portion (521) of the tip (100) also generally has
a rounded rectangular conical frustum shape with cross section
corresponding generally to the cross section of the top (121) or
middle portion (321). This is, however, done for ease of
manufacturing and is by no means required. In alternative
embodiments, the bottom portion (521) may have a more traditional
circular conical frustum shape. The bottom portion (521) is
generally elongated to allow it to extend into a microcentrifuge
tube or other sample location to allow samples to be drawn from the
bottom of a microcentrifuge tube or other sample source having a
narrow access port.
[0068] Ideally, the lower portion (521) is not of particularly
elongate shape as the internal volume of its hollow interior (531),
in addition to the volume of the sample chamber (331), directly
correlates with the sample volume that is necessary to perform
spectroscopy. For many assays, it is known that minimizing
necessary sample volume is desirable and this can be achieved by
designing the hollow portions (531) and (331) of the two lower
portions (321) and (521) of the tip (100) to be as short and narrow
as reasonably possible. However, some length is still generally
necessary to allow reaching into the bottom of the sample holder
with which it could be commonly used. To improve this aspect of the
design, it is also beneficial to reduce the external diameter of
the top portion (121) of the tip (100) allowing it to fit within
the sampling vessel without impediment even when placed on the
barrel (601). This allows the tip (100) to be inserted as low as
necessary into the sample holder (which is usually a
microcentrifuge tube).
[0069] To test a sample, the sample is drawn up through the lower
portion (521) of the tip (100) and a portion is held in position
within the sampling chamber (331) for analysis. Analysis is
performed, and then the sample can be discarded in an embodiment.
Alternatively, as the microspectrometer (600) can be used for
pipetting transfer of sample as is well known to those of ordinary
skill in the art, the sample may also have spectroscopic analysis
performed while utilizing the microspectrometer to transfer the
sample to another location. As such, the system allows for a very
small sample size to be analyzed effectively in transport between
two other necessary locations of that sample.
[0070] In an embodiment, the sample chamber (331) dimensions may be
optimized for optical path lengths (the distance between faces
(313) and (315)) between 0.1 and 10 mm. Shorter path lengths are
ideal for small sample volumes and for sampling concentrated
analytes without dilution. Longer path lengths are ideal for cases
like measuring cell density where a 1 cm path length is standard
and there is little concern for sample volume.
[0071] While the above has shown a tip (100) which utilizes a small
volume of analyte for spectroscopic analysis in transit between
other vessels, FIGS. 7-12B provide for another embodiment of a tip
(200) which is useable on a very small sample. In the tip (200) of
this embodiment, the middle portion (321) is greatly elongated and
externally tapered and the bottom portion (521) is extremely short.
However, the light guide element of the prior middle portion (321)
is now positioned within the bottom portion (521). This provides
for a middle portion (321) which acts as an elongated light guide
directing the light from the microspectrometer (600) toward the
bottom portion (521) which is shaped to act as the middle portion
(321) of the prior embodiment. Thus, the light is only reflected at
the extreme end (703) through the hollow sampling chamber
(331).
[0072] As can be best seen in FIGS. 12A and 12B this embodiment
uses a internal elongated light guide formed form the walls (335)
of the middle portion (321) to reduce the sample volume needed for
measurement when light transmission efficiency is not a concern by
placing the sample chamber (331) at the extreme end (703) of the
tip (200). Light from the microspectrometer (600) barrel (601) is
projected onto/into the horizontal surface (317) inside the tip
(200). It then is reflected within the walls (335) and eventually
into the chamfered region at the base (703) where interaction with
the external surface (345) directs the light into the sampling
chamber (331) and back into the walls (335) where is it is again
reflected and transported to exit the tip (200) at surface (317)
and enter the light channel (603). In this embodiment, the sample
only needs to be drawn up past the lowest portion (521) allowing
use of an extremely small sample.
[0073] In FIG. 12A, there is a front view of a filleted design
which shows a single tip (200) with a filleted shape lower portion
(521) of the tip (200) as can be seen in the magnified view of FIG.
12B. A rounded end (703) on the lower portion (521) may result in
more complicated light reflection than the conical frustum of FIGS.
1-5, but will concentrate the light at the tip (703) so more will
pass through the sample and do so generally in a more narrow beam.
This reduces the amount of sample required to adequately measure
its optical properties. This could be further optimized using a
parabolic curve or other curves in the lower portion (521) which
are designed to improve internal light reflection toward the sample
chamber (331).
[0074] In the embodiment of FIGS. 12A and 12B, the design the tip
(200) may include an upper chamfer with around 3% draft to allow
injection molding using a side action pin. The lower chamfered
region has a complimentary about 42% draft to direct the light 90
degrees from the original path of light from the instrument. The
light then passes through the sample and turns another 90 degrees
toward the microspectrometer (600).
[0075] As can be seen in FIG. 7, in order to provide for ease of
manufacture of the tip (200), the tip (200) may be molded using two
identical halves (201A) and (201B) in a manner such that two halves
(201) can be joined later through sealing compounds, sonic welding,
or over molding or in any manner to join two parts together. Note
that while this modeling is contemplated with the embodiment of tip
(200) shown in FIG. 12, this molding method may also be used on tip
(100) of FIG. 1-5. Molding the tips (200) in halves (201) eases
mold design reducing side action pins, which are easily damaged and
expensive to maintain. FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C show various additional
views of the two molded halves (201) which may be used in FIG. 7.
It should be recognized that the half (201) is used as both halves
(201A) and (201B) in the embodiment of the FIG. 7 as the two halves
(201A) and (201B) are identical parts for all intents and purposed.
In an embodiment, the two halves (201A) and (201B) may actually be
essentially identical parts made from the same mold cavity as
contemplated herein, or may be nearly identical parts with
differences resulting from modifications to the mating faces (705)
to allow for joining the two pieces. For example, the mating faces
(705) may comprise corresponding male and female connectors to
allow for more secure and aligned connection.
[0076] Molding the tips (200) in two halves (201) instead of just
one provides opportunities to make significant changes to the
central geometry of the tip (200) that cannot be made using side
action pin molding. For example, the overall geometry of the hollow
center core and particularly the sample chamber (331) is no longer
limited to the draft and pulling action of the central core pin.
This means a thinner core can be made to reduce the light path of
the sample and to reduce the total sample volume required. The
extra cost associated with a second round of processing (for
example, sonic welding after injection molding) can be offset by
making more than one tip (200) at a time by automated sonic
welding, and by reducing the initial cost and maintenance of the
mold to make the tips (200). While it is considered here that the
tips (200) can be molded in two halves (201) and then sonic welded
together, it is not required. The tips (200) can still be made in
the fashion of traditional single pipette tips or in multi-unit
strips using side action pins to create the internal hollow
cavity.
[0077] As should be apparent, the existence of the line of
connection between the two halves (201) where the faces (705) meet
is irrelevant to the light transmission as the light only passes
the plane connecting the two halves as it passes through the sample
chamber (331). Instead, the light associated with each light
channel (603) is generally only within a single half (201). That
is, in FIGS. 5 and 6, the depicted cross section of the tip (100)
or (200) would be cut through the two halves (201A) and (201B) such
that the line (plane) of connection between the faces (705) would
be visible in the center of FIG. 5 (perpendicular to the page). At
this point, the light is external to the wall structure (335) of
each half (it is within the hollow sample chamber (331) enclosed
within them) and thus the light never passes through the plane of
faces (705).
[0078] In the depicted embodiments, the two-halve molded tips (200)
are generally rounded in cross section as the placement of the
sample chamber (331) at the extreme end (703) and utilizing a
rounded tip end (705) generally means that the planar faces (313)
and (315) are not necessary. However, half molding is not limited
to only rounded tips and may be used on any embodiment of tips
(100) or (200). The same rounded rectangular shape described for
tips (100) in FIGS. 1-5 can also be split in halves for molding. In
a similar manner, oval, triangular, hexagonal, octagonal, or other
top down profiles can be utilized as necessary for optimal
efficiency at directing the light to the sample and back to the
detector and for connection to specific microspectrometers (600).
Further, alternate shapes may also be preferred for packaging or
storage of tips or alignment with the instrument and these can also
be produced as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the
art.
[0079] FIGS. 9-10 illustrate an embodiment which allows for
multiple tip halves (201) to be co-molded as one piece (901) to
simplify manufacturing. Two strips (901A) and (901B) of halves
(201) may then be connected together using adhesives or techniques
such as sonic welding as known to the art and illustrated in FIG.
10. As can be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10 this form of molding provides
for eight half tips (201) in a strip (901) to ease molding, and
eliminating the need for side action inserts in the mold design.
The eight tip halves (201) may be joined by an easily breakable
connection (911) as best illustrated in the detail view of FIG. 11.
Once assembled, tips (200) can then be separated by breaking the
breakable connections (911) between each tip (200). This can be
performed as part of manufacturing or can be performed at the time
of use by an end user. Regardless, it allows for each tip (200) to
be used one at a time.
[0080] In the embodiment of FIG. 9, The tip halves (201) may be
molded together with a nine millimeter pitch (distance between two
tip halves (201)) to allow tips formed from the entire strip (901)
to be inserted into a standard 8.times.12 box as is common for
pipette tips. Alternatively, tips (200) can be boxed, or packed and
hermetically sealed in pouches. Tips (200) may be broken off one at
a time for individual use or used intact with multichannel devices.
It is also possible to reduce the pitch between joined tips (200)
as desired. This can cause the tips (200) to break apart when
inserted into standard tip boxes for packaging. In this way, they
can be used by single channel or by multichannel instruments
without the user needing to break the tips apart.
[0081] The above referenced images and text, refer to a standard
pitch being preferred between tips (200). Currently, most pipette
tips are packed in boxes using a nine-millimeter space or pitch
between tips in a box in both orientations unless the holes or
slots for the tips are offset to reduce the overall size of the
box. This allows standardization for multichannel pipettes and for
robotic processes. However, the use of these tips (100) or (200) is
not limited to high throughput devices and may be used one tip
(100) or (200) at a time. As such they may be packed in boxes other
than the standard 8.times.12 conformation. Alternatively, they may
be packaged in paper or plastic films similar to syringes or
bandages. They may be packaged as single tips, or in packages of 4,
8, 10, 12, or any other number of tips commonly used in one
setting/experiment/test and convenient for the user. They may or
may not be sterile, protease or nuclease free. They can also be
packed in bulk within bags or other containers.
[0082] Although eight half tips (201) are shown in FIG. 9 is would
be well understood by those of ordinary skill that, it is possible
to join any number of tips (200) during the manufacturing process.
Multichannel pipettes commonly have eight or twelve barrels and it
would make sense to follow that standard by providing strips with
either 8 or 12 linked tips (200) once the two halves (901A) and
(901B) are joined together. Although it is important to note that
robotic instruments can vary in the number of barrels used and tips
can be made joined or disjoined for those uses.
[0083] While the above have all focused on pipette tips (100) or
(200) which allow for transport of the sample within the pipette
tip (100) or (200), FIGS. 13A-15B provide for variable views of
three embodiments of "pipette" tips (900) which utilize a light
guide without a hollow core. These are useful for allowing the
microspectrometer (600) used above to spectrographically analyze a
sample, but without the need for the microspectrometer (600) to
apply a positive or negative pressure to the sample to draw a
sample into the sample chamber (331). Instead, the end of the tip
(900) is submerged in the solution to be analyzed.
[0084] While the premise of the above description uses a body that
in many ways resembles a standard pipette tip, a simple probe that
is submerged in the sample may be preferable if there is no need to
transfer the sample using the tip (900). In the embodiments of
FIGS. 13A-15B, the tip (900) is more accurately described as a
probe which is composed of two light guides (401) attached with a
collar (915) or cross member (917) that serves to attach and align
the tip (400) with the microspectrometer (600). The collar (915) or
cross member (917) also is used to control the spacing between the
two light guides (401) and defines the optical path length (941)
which is the equivalent of the length across a sample chamber
(331).
[0085] The tip (900) is attached to the microspectrometer (600)
without contamination of the light guides (401) by potential
contaminants by simply pressing the barrel (601) of the
microspectrometer (600) onto the collar (915) in the same manner
that the barrel (601) connects with the top portions (121) in prior
embodiments. The light guides (401) are, at least in part, light
transmitting to the wavelength of interest and direct light away
from the microspectrometer (600) toward and across a sample located
between the two arms (401). The light is again captured by the
second light guide arm (401) and directed back up through internal
reflection to the microspectrometer (600). In effect, the arms
(401) of the embodiments of FIGS. 13A-15B represent the minimum
structure for guiding light of the tip (200) as all remaining wall
(335) and (535) structure has been removed. As the sample is not
bounded on all sides by the wall (335), the sample region (941) is
defined as the area between the two light guide arms (401) where
light exits one light guide (401), passes through the sample region
(941), and back into the second light guide (401).
[0086] The top portions (921) of the various tips (900) demonstrate
two releasable mechanisms (915) and (917) for attaching to the
device. Two tip (900) versions (903) and (905) rely on a tapered
top portion collar (915) allowing a snug or snap fit collar common
to pipette tips and which may be of similar design to the top
portion (121) of the above discussed embodiments. The other
embodiment (907) instead utilizes a cross member (917) that can be
releaseably clamped by the microspectrometer itself In all three
embodiment (903), (905) and (907), Light guide legs (931) extend
downward from the connector (915) or (917) and may be of various
lengths appropriate to reach the solution in the bottom of a vessel
based on the type of analysis they are intended for.
[0087] Shorter guides (903) and (907) such as shown in FIGS. 13A,
13B, 14A, and 14B will commonly be used for standard
microcentrifuge tubes while longer guides (905) as shown in FIGS.
15A and 15B can be used for 15 ml microbial culture tubes or
altered in length for any depth of vessel. In the embodiments of
FIGS. 13A-15B, as the sample chamber (331) is eliminated and simply
replaced by an open sample region (941) as there is no need to draw
material from the current vessel into the tip (400). Instead, the
sample region (941) which is preferably located at or near the base
of the tip (400) and where light is directed between the two light
guide legs (931) is simply submerged in the sample in whatever
vessel currently contains it (or the sample may be placed between
the arms (401) if the sample is solid).
[0088] The optical path length, which corresponds to the distance
that the light guide arms (401) are apart, can be variable
depending on the specific embodiment and intended use. For example,
tip (903) may have a particularly small sample region (941) of
about 0.5 mm while tips (905) and (907) may have a much longer
sample region (941) such as about 5 mm to about 1 cm. These
examples were chosen to demonstrate that a variety of path lengths
can be created dependent on the needs of the assay performed, but
are in no way required. Shorter path lengths would generally be
preferred for concentrated solutions such a nucleic acid analysis.
Longer path lengths such as 1 cm would be preferred to measure
microbial cell density as that is the most commonly reported path
length in the literature.
[0089] The light guides (401) can have square, rectangular, round
or any cross section profile as necessary to deliver light to the
sample region (941) and back to the microspectrometer (600). The
light guides (401) can be molded or cut from any transparent
material. The guides can be coated or over molded with material to
reduce stray light from entering the light guide and/or to improve
internal reflection. This coating may also be incorporated into the
upper portion (921) used to attach and align the tip (900) with the
microspectrometer (600). Alternatively, the collar (915) and/or
coating may be molded separately and snapped over the arms (401),
or sonic welded to or around the arms (401). The arms (401) can be
made of plastic including polyethylene, polypropylene, cyclic
olefin copolymer, acrylic, polycarbonate or mixtures there of and
of various densities. The arms (401) can also be made of glass,
quartz, or any other optically transparent material. A coating or
covering sleeve can be made of plastic or other material that is
not transparent to the wavelength of light of interest and may be
sprayed on, brushed on, over molded, snapped on, sonic welded to or
around, or applied by any means necessary to reduce or prevent
stray light from entering the light guides or better constrain
light within the waveguide arms (401). Alternatively, the probe
material can be pigmented during manufacture to absorb wavelengths
of light which are considered unfavorable to analysis of the
analyte of interest.
[0090] The qualifier "generally" and similar qualifiers, as used in
the present case, would be understood by one of ordinary skill in
the art to accommodate recognizable attempts to conform a device to
the qualified term, which may nevertheless fall short of doing so.
This is because terms such as "sphere" are purely geometric
constructs and no real-world component is a true "sphere" in the
geometric sense. Variations from geometric and mathematical
descriptions are unavoidable due to, among other things,
manufacturing tolerances resulting in shape variations, defects and
imperfections, non-uniform thermal expansion, and natural wear.
Moreover, there exists for every object a level of magnification at
which geometric and mathematical descriptors fail due to the nature
of matter. One of ordinary skill would thus understand the term
"generally," and relationships contemplated herein regardless of
the inclusion of such qualifiers, to include a range of variations
from the literal geometric meaning of the term in view of these and
other considerations.
[0091] While the invention has been disclosed in conjunction with a
description of certain embodiments, including those that are
currently believed to be the preferred embodiments, the detailed
description is intended to be illustrative and should not be
understood to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As would
be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, embodiments
other than those described in detail herein are encompassed by the
present invention. Modifications and variations of the described
embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention.
[0092] It will further be understood that any of the ranges,
values, properties, or characteristics given for any single
component of the present disclosure can be used interchangeably
with any ranges, values, properties, or characteristics given for
any of the other components of the disclosure, where compatible, to
form an embodiment having defined values for each of the
components, as given herein throughout. Further, ranges provided
for a genus or a category can also be applied to species within the
genus or members of the category unless otherwise noted.
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